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A straw bale garden uses straw as its primary growing medium, plus a small amount of soil or compost. This style of gardening involves conditioning the bales with fertilizer and water prior to planting, which activates a slow composting process that provides an ideal environment for growing plants.
We spoke to leading experts to learn more about the method—ahead, they explain how to make and care for a straw bale garden, as well as what to plant in it.
Straw bale gardening is similar to container gardening, but the bale is the container and the growing media, all in one. ⁘The bale is initially treated with a nitrogen source, like fertilizer, and water so that within just a short time—usually about 12 days—the core of the bale has composted well enough that it will support the growth of plant roots,⁘ says Joel Karsten, pioneer of the Straw Bale Gardens method.
This part is optional, but it’s useful if you plan to grow climbing plants . “Put a tall fence post into each end of the row, and then put a board (like a 2-by-4) from the top of one post to the other post,” says Karsten. Then, stretch electric fencing wire between the two posts, starting 8 inches above the bales.
On day 11, check the temperature in the center of the bales. ⁘If it is above 105 degrees Fahrenheit, wait another day to plant,⁘ says Karsten. The bales should be about 99 degrees Fahrenheit before they’re safe to plant in.
